Praise Sunday ~ For those special moms

Are you praising someone for doing a good deed? How about yourself. We rarely find something to praise ourselves for especially if we are mothers. So what is something unthankful job that you did this week? What are you most proud of that you did this week? What do you have to be happy about? Any Prayer Requests that you have?

I've been thinking about certain mothers. I was reading a blog about a very sick little boy who has a dermatological condition and  they don't have a good prognosis but like any good mother they don't give up hope. Another blog I've been reading Super Ty (look in my Stalk my Friends.) I learned about his mom from the Today show after she was featured blogging her son Ty's fight against cancer. Ty is in remission now. There is Kaeleb who was a victim of a baby sitters neglect and Shaken Baby Syndrome he survived unfortunately he passed away a few years later. I have followed these families stories. These mothers that have a massive amount of love for their children and I cannot imagine the amount of strength they possess to stay strong for their children even if they are given the worse news a parent can hear. That more than likely they will have to bury their child.

I've told the story here on my blog about the day Skylar was born at Gordon Hospital in Calhoun I heard a code blue over the intercom for the Labor and Delivery. I thought to myself how tragic. Later on I found out that my boyfriend at the time was working with the mother's step father. The baby was in the birth canal and suffered irreversible damage for being in the canal too long and lack of oxygen. The mother was 19 years old at the time of her daughter's birth. The ladies I worked with at Factory Brand Shoes years later knew her too and I got to talk to her. I told her how courageous she was. I said how do you do it? I said as a mom I thrive on "I Love You's", and hugs and kisses. She said I thrive on another new day with her another birthday means we've beat the odds. I think about the strength of that 19 year old mother and all the other babies that probably won't survive childhood. I praise the women who are so courageous for their children and families. 

I praise the military wives who deal with pregnancy, labor and the early stages of parent hood alone while their husband's are deployed. They are Super Moms!

I praise single mothers who have dead beat ex's or ex's that manipulate them (and the system), the ones who had to deal with the hands of abuse. That even though they have been faced with these odds and these challenges they do their best to make sure their children have everything they need. I was one of those mothers.

I praise the single mothers who's husbands never made it dinner, or breakfast... one day unexpectedly. They get the looks and stares and even the nasty remarks. As if it was their fault. There is no one to share the financial responsibility, the emotional responsibility, the laughter and the tears. There is no Daddy Daughter dates or balls. There is none of that yet they still manage to stay strong as much as possible... more than I can expect out of them. I was also one of those mothers.

If your a mother I praise you! I pray for you. I am thankful for you!

 Keep doing the best you can!

Pray for Me Monday

Please pray for me... my family is under constant challenges. We knew when we got married we already faced challenges apart as well as we were going to face them as a family. Some we didn't realize at the time but we will manage.
As a military family there is over 50% it ends in divorce. I think close to 60%. 3.6 military marriages end in divorce as of 2011.
Over 70% of second marriages that involve step children end in divorce. 25% fail in the first five years. (Okay we've almost overcome that statistic)
Having children with special needs gives you a higher chance of divorce. Some articles state 80% but that is being argued now.

So we have over 50% chance that a military marriage would end in divorce. Luckily we aren't active duty anymore but we are still struggling with the side effects of forever being military.
We have over a 50% chance that we will divorce because we are in a second marriage
and over a 50% chance we will divorce because we have one or more children with special needs.
So does that give us over 150% chance of divorce?

I tell you what statistics I didn't add in
I am a christian and I believe in my vows...not in the Karadashian way but in the real way of from Better & Worse
I think this being a second marriage gives me the advantage of learning from the first with MY mistakes. I can hope the same with Rick.

But I ask for you to hold up my family in prayer as we face these challenges. I know God doesn't give more than I can handle. My plate may be full, it may be heavy, I know I can do this but every once in awhile I need a helping hand. Babies don't come with instruction books and neither did my marriage. Every where I turn there is marriage advice from my Pastor, from this Author, or that blogger, this expert or that one. But no one has the marriage I do. So the what if's out weigh the advice.

There is a lot on my plate... my smallest one is almost 2½ and he struggles with severe separation anxiety... again everything in a text book has been tried now the doctor says to wait it out. So its not an option to hire a sitter and go on a date and enjoy my one-on-one time with my husband. Its not even an option to go to church together since he hyperventilates in the area where they watch the babies and the one for toddlers. Yes he will cry for the solid hour if not more. My 9 year old will soon be hitting puberty and all the mess that is coming from that. She's got a sassy attitude and mouth just like her mother and sometimes she struggles in school. Even if she made straight A's on her report card. YAY Skylar! I struggle every day with loosing my 11½ year old. I am not sure if to move on or to fight and how to cope because again there aren't many people I can turn to for help that understand where I am at. We have James who is 24 and he Aspergers and Anxiety disorders we are still trying to deal with on a daily or weekly basis and Alex the 25 year old who is trying to make it on his own but he is still Rick's baby you know what I mean? They all come with their own challenges and we have five blessings there isn't much time to break for ourselves. There is no text book, self help book, or expert to help us on this journey just God and prayer!

Pray for Me Monday

Linked to Home Grown Families

& Troop Petrie

  I had such a wonderful time with my husband last night the anxiety we get from leaving our children with sitters seemed to not be on the front burner. Skylar went to the Botanical Garden -Gardens of Lights walk with her friend Kara. Skylar really doesn't need a sitter she is pretty good about taking care of herself. I think its more for supervision and a peace of mind. She's very smart and aware of the dangers of the world as much as she is supposed to be at 9. William went to his friend James house for an extended play date and had a great time. Knowing I have a variety of people to depend on in a crunch that I can "trust" is a great feeling. I pray that my husband and I continue to work on reconnecting like we did last night. Yes we try to steal a an hour away once the kids go to bed every once in awhile but hanging out at a Pub just isn't the same for me. Its hard to talk and reconnect when someone is screaming ROLL TIDE! maybe it will get better outside of foot ball season in the Spring/Summer. Huntsville is full of college football fans here.

I ask for prayer because somewhere Rick used his debit card someone cloned it and stole $500 from our checking account. Regions says we have to try and dispute it with the company first then they might file some type of fraud claim dispute. We might get our money back. This time of year that's a lot of money to just loose. As much as we are trying to learn from our Financial Freedom Class honestly the only thing saving us and giving us a turkey on our table this Thursday is a credit card I asked Rick to apply for late last week. It hasn't ruined my holiday spirit however... plans just have to change/be delayed/ and priorities in order. We went on our date because luckily I had gotten the tickets in October and James had paid his rent for this pay period so that helped pay for the sitter. I also had made reservations weeks ago for Breakfast with Santa at Parkway Place. Chick-Fil-A is a super company that was nice enough to host this event and even give all the children free kids meals. We just had to forego Santa pictures until I can afford William's Christmas outfit and the actual pictures. So pray for us that all the finances come together. Pray for our bank of their nasty business practices, and pray for the thieves who stole from us. This is the time of year people get greedy and desperate instead of really getting into the spirit of giving they become Scrooge. (I think they missed the moral of the story.) Our local news is filled with burglaries have gone up so high in neighborhoods you wouldn't expect, even someone robbed the local Apple store... what did he/she think everyone in his family DESERVED an IPOD and IPAD? I pray for these people who think they are entitled to other people's hard earned possessions. I believe we got the good news of that Credit card and the little bit of money we had in our savings account had not been taking out in over draft because God provides. When you pay it forward he will always give you the gift of giving in mysterious ways.

Three  prayers for others...
Tim Defoor his is a married father of two from Georgia that was involved in a major car accident and the doctors are doing all they can but its really up to Tim and God's healing hands to take him out of this danger period.
Ty Campbell a courageous little boy who has beaten cancer when they were told it couldn't be done. He has done it and its in remission for now http://www.superty.org/
and the third prayer is for 3 little boys in my family.

Military Monday & Pray for Me Monday

My adopted father was in the Air Force, My biological father was in the Navy, My grandfather a STRONG Marine. My sister also an Air Woman.

I come from a proud Military family but never did I face a deployment, death, or the truth and evil of war until I lived in Calhoun, GA. Thanksgiving week (Not sure the day) was my friend's daughter Cari's birthday at the art studio and from the Party I had to leave Calhoun and head to Adairsville for my sisters Annual Thanksgiving feast she always made for her friends. It was a huge spread. As we passed through the streets of Calhoun. They came out in numbers. So many people there with American Flags, Banners, Posters, Yellow ribbons welcoming home Cody. A fallen Marine very young like 18/19 years old. Killed by friendly fire in the back of the head. So much love from my community. I didn't know Cody but my co-workers did. 

Then I became friends with my future husband and as he talked of a pending deployment it struck me down hard. So hard I couldn't shake it. My brother in law had deployed years earlier with the Air Force, Another brother in law in the Navy. That didn't rattle me as much or at least not the same way. This was different. I was starting to care for Rick. I couldn't express to him my fears either. I expressed them to my then boyfriend Donnie. I never shook that fear and eventually Rick and I started talking about meeting, and having plans. It got serious and serious fast. A few months after we married we were getting ready for a first huge event. I was checking my old Alumni's website on Myspace and I read a friend from High School was killed in Iraq. I knew Blake.. we weren't close friends but we were friends. At least we were in High School. I was kind of a ROTC groupie, as my mom wouldn't let me join so I just kinda watched from the side lines. After high school I imagined a few would move on to the military as my sister did and as I TRIED to do. I tried to join the Air Force, Army, Navy... I am not suitable as a Marine I knew that but apparently not suitable for the other branches as much either. Days after Rick and I were married his oldest son went and left for BCT (Boot Camp)... fears of him ending up just like Cody struck me cold. It was hard for me to let him go. It was his choice and I barely knew the kid other than his heart and how big it was. Rick was shaking as if we watched Alex transform from a boy riding a bike to a man wearing a uniform carrying a weapon to defend his country. Then I had to watch my husband walk away from me the same way just a few months later. We survived our first deployment married. I got him home safe. Then a matter of months later Alex would deploy overseas. That deployment was terrifying, and very emotional for us. I had to face a lot of my fears that I kept to myself. I couldn't share out of making Rick have more fears than he needed. Thankfully someone watched over Alex and he is home for good and safe and sound. So many of our children don't come home safe. So many of our fiancées and husbands don't come home safe. Its unfair but I believe in the work the military does.

I honor and show gratitude for all Veterans and all the Fallen. I try to support Military Families and do whatever I can.

I have a friend who is a photographer for Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. I look at her beautiful work and I can't imagine the emotions that she goes through or any of the emotions the families go through. I give my Soldiers (when I can) an extra hug and I send warm thoughts to my Mackenzie and squeeze Skylar & William a little extra tighter. 

A Soldier,Airman, Marine Seaman, Gave his life so mine didn't have to. Thank you for watching their backs!

I have angels watching over Alex, James, Mackenzie, Skylar and William so I can keep them just another day longer on this earth and I don't have to let them go. I am so grateful for that.

So please pray for me that I remember how important it is to be there still for the Military. Please pray for me if William or Skylar choose to follow in the family foot steps that someone protect them. Please pray for all our work overseas Missions and Military that enough peace will come soon so we can carry on and not let these men and women die in vain. Please pray for the families at Ft Bragg they have been loosing an unreal amount of children. Death is forever a circle of life but no Parent should have to bury their children or say good bye in a cruel way. No Wife should have to loose a husband to war. Please pray for me and for them.

Pray for Me Monday

For myself. Please pray for me.. that the word of God I learn every week in church evolves into something beautiful in my heart and soul. Pray for me that I can learn to be a better mother to my children and a better wife to my husband. For I get what I give in return. Please pray for me. I needed some dress slacks so I went shopping yesterday after church. I went to Lane Bryant because everything was 40% off. I tried on some slacks and jeans and I am so insecure about my weight... I am putting a goal out there to loose some before mid April. 1 month and I would like to loose ten pounds! Then I went to Avenue as Rick went to Movie and Game Stop with William. I had Skylar... Nothing much there that I was interested in. I see so many clothes and I would love to be fashionable but I just don't know what is good for me. I saw a sweater or maybe possibly it was robe? I didn't buy it because I didn't know. I went to Cato which I have seen some of their styles on there website and I was excited to finally have money to spend on myself and buy me some nice CUTE clothes. William & Skylar were napping in the car so I told Rick to just take a nap with them. Then William woke up so they went into Petco. I was so lonely in Cato by myself. No sales associates wanted to help me. They barely greeted me at any of the three stores. I was feeling so isolated, lonely, and lost. Insecure about my weight and new body type. Not sure what styles to wear and at that point just wanting a female friend to give me the thumbs up or thumbs down. I haven't had one of those in a long time. I don't find that in a friend very often. Its something I crave. I just hate walking into a store like Lane Bryant where the clothes barely fit me (they usually don't carry my size) and most of them are styled for bigger girls (I'm really sounding like I am denial) Then a lot of stores like Kohls and other places either have juniors which wouldn't fit properly and God knows I am not in my 20's anymore nor do I look like it. Or what I would consider clothes for more mature women (Rick once told me he thought his mother would wear something I tried on). I understand Rick HATES clothing shopping but I just wish he would understand sometimes he needs to put up with the bull of helping me out. I have no friends that I can do this with and HE IS supposed to be my BEST FRIEND... If I can't go shopping with my best friend who can I shop with? Sometimes I even show him on the computer what I like/dislike and I just want his opinion. Its just TOO difficult and frustrating to keep his attention because he gets overwhelmed dealing with William and he can't focus on both. Lead Me

Pray for my children. Alex has been quiet for some time now. He's having car problems with his second car since he got back to Ft Hood from his deployment. He also had computer problems? He has had his struggles and some illness. We used to call him the Moral compass now he just seems to be drifting from God and into the bottom of a bottle. I hope he opens up to God soon and finds his path again. Innocent 

Pray for James. James always needs guidance and prayer as he struggles everyday. He doesn't attend church and doesn't feel comfortable. I pray he is God Fearing and faithful.  Its the Only One You Got

Pray for Mackenzie. He always needs to be in Gods protection. Best of Intentions & Always

Pray for Skylar. She's turning into a tween and its hard for her old ma. She's had an upset stomach for more than week and struggles going to school everyday. Never Grow Up

Pray for William. He's got a lot on his plate. Toddler hood is so dangerous and so busy. He is growing up so fast. He is constantly exploring, climbing, and learning how things work. Without Rick and My watchful eye and the over protective gaze of his older brother my little Tonka Truck could find trouble. He now has an upset stomach and a slight fever. Hopefully he didn't catch Skylar's bug she got from her teacher. Please pray for William that one day he will like the church nursery and his separation anxiety will get better so Rick and I can have that connection back of the sermon together. I pray that he knows he can slow down at any time and just enjoy being the smallest! God Speed

Please Pray for Rick as he still struggles of being out of the Army. It was his life for a quarter of a century. Its not hard to just pack that up in a box and leave it behind. So many things the military let him experience but so many coping mechanisms that he didn't learn. In his quest to serve and give the best of him. Honor, Duty, Country... please pray that he finds God, Family Country can be rewarding an awesome. Pray that he learns how to balance a good work ethic and family life, Pray for him that is understanding about what I go through, Pray that in all marriages we become Godly and follow the word so our marriages can be rewarded. Bound to You

If your a follower on Facebook you know I've been praying for Dylan. Please pray for the doctors treated Dylan that God guides them with wisdom and direction to find out what is making little man so sick. Pray for his mom who is dealing with this as well as her other children. Pray for his dad who is overseas that all this stress doesn't effect his duty and get himself hurt. Pray for his safety.

Then another prayer request is for Ty Campbell who is my little cancer Warrior! I have been following his story a little while now and he is just the sweetest little boy. His mommy's blog is here 

other prayers are for my friends Jennifer and Chris back home in Calhoun who are due with a new baby that has had some hurdles. 

Please Pray for another friend who is pregnant and pray for her to take care of herself before all. There is a little one and two big ones depending on it! 

God Bless the Child

To all the men and women in the Military. God knows my prayers. He knows my struggles. He knows yours too. Please pray for unspoken prayers as well

For more prayer requests please go to Home Grown Families

 

Pray for Me Monday

If your a friend of mine on Facebook you've seen me for the most part of last week sending out prayer requests for my friends son Dylan. Daddy is a Soldier currently deployed and Dylan is my sick dill pickle who doctors don't know why or what is wrong with him. Blessings for Brandee. Then another prayer request is for Ty Campbell who is my little cancer Warrior! I have been following his story a little while now and he is just the sweetest little boy. His mommy's blog is here 

other prayers are for my friends Jennifer and Chris back home in Calhoun who are due with a new baby that has had some hurdles. To all the men and women in the Military. God knows my prayers. He knows my struggles and I pray that I can take the most out of this sermon series we are hearing at church. Here is the first post of the series here. The second week is coming soon. The associate pastor did the sermon and he is harder for me to keep up with for some reason so I am going to review my notes and the online podcast here then I will post my blog. 

Go to Home Grown Families for more Prayers

Prayer Log

Here is my prayer list for the week
1. I am an Army Wife, Air Force/Navy Daughter, Army Mom, Airforce sister, and my grandfather was in Korea as a Marine. My first prayer is to keep Alex safe and bring him home safetly. May God's great hand guide him through his trials and surround him with safety. I pray for my friends husbands who are currently deployed or preparing for deployment. As well as other family members and friends. You guys ARE hero's!
If your loved one is deployed give me their first name and last initial and branch and they will be added every week.

2. I pray for my friends who are recently seperated from their husband under not the best of circumstances but I know both ladies are really strong and will do a fabulous job!

3. I pray that Rick will find a job SOON

4. I pray to keep my kids safe and healthy. Mackenzie will eventually be home where he belongs.

5. I pray for my country and our president, and law makers.

6. I pray for my marriage.

7. I pray for health of my family. especially my mother and Step father who was recently diagnosed with Lung Cancer.

8. I pray for my sisters, nieces, and nephews...

9. I pray for my church in their new endeavor

10. I pray for my friends pregnancies :) Happy and Healthy

God Will provide! Can I pray for you?

Tragedy for the Chapman Family

My heart is heavy right now as I've learned of the death of Steven Curtis Chapman's daughter, Maria. It is especially tragic as their own son was involved in the accident, backing their vehicle out of the family driveway. He will need our utmost prayers.

"At approximately 5pm on the afternoon of Wednesday May 21st, Maria Sue Chapman, 5 years old and the youngest daughter to Steven and Mary Beth Chapman was struck in the driveway of the Chapman home in Franklin, TN. Maria was rushed to Vanderbilt Childrens Hospital in Nashville, transported by LifeFlight, but died of her injuries there. Maria is one of the close knit family’s six children and one of their three adopted daughters. "

I'm sure many of you are already aware of this tragic accident. But for a news article, click here.
To visit the Chapman site click here.
A special condolences blog is set up here for people to express their sympathies. It has a precious video clip of Maria and her daddy jamming at the kitchen sink filmed only two months ago.
Please pray for this dear family who loves the Lord passionately and who have been strong advocates for adoption. Josh and I both have enjoyed Mr. Chapman's music over the years, especially during our courtship years. His song (click link for music video and great testimony on parenting), Cinderella, is especially poignant in light of this most sad event.

Reference Link to the Blog in which this was posted. I didn't write this blog :)

Prayer List

Everyone's heard of a prayer journal?
Prayer Journaling
Prayer Journal = a spiritual diary. A place to record God’s responses to your requests, thoughts, feelings, and insights. A way of remembering God’s activity in your life; a way of holding yourself accountable to spiritual maturity.

I want to use part of my Blogger and yet I may make a 3rd blogger for the religous aspect. But I would like to take time out and record a list of people in my prayers and thoughts and exactly what the defintion above says to be thankful and remember the goodness in my life.

Starting today Starting with My Prayer list
* I want to say a prayer for a friend who is seemingly just setting herself up for disappointment and in my view a masochist. I pray that her pain is short lived and she finally gets some validity. If not then she can get the help she needs to feel certain about herself and stop hurting herself. Unspoken Prayers for her.
* I pray for the friends and family and my school mates of the lost soldier I know.
* My Friend Christa will be moving in a week. I would like to say safe travels to her family and love being where she is going. She will be missed! Prayers of safety and happiness for them.
* My Friend Racquel living in a new country with new adventures I think its a great opportunity for her and her little one Addison.
* saying a prayer for 3 year old Hutch. Recently diagnosed with Acute Lymph anemia Leukemia. A friend of one of my daughters playmates.
* A Special prayer for my friend Jess who is going through some challenging times and decisions she needs to make in her life and just some things that really get her down sometimes. She's also trying to loose weight. I wish her the best.
* My friend Stephanie. Boy God has really trusted her alot with all he has put on her plate. her second angel Isaiah 2 years old is fighting rare liver cancer called Hepatoblastoma stage IV. She also had preemie twins. Astrid & Alazay. I think they will be ok but Preemies always need lots of prayers and TLC. Its scary for mommies.
* Kristin. She's the closest thing to a saint I probably know. She deserves the world on a platter. Both of her little angels have their life challenges and both prevail with such strength. I am certain they get that from their mother and father. Now Kristin and Peter pray they can add a new baby into their lives.
* Angie & Lindsay. Unspoken Prayers for both.
* My friend Jilly has on going medical problems
* Princess Madison (http://www.princessmadison.org/Home_Page.html)
* My friend Paula who is an inspiration to me please pray for her medical problems.
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As Always Please Keep Our Troops Safe and in Your Prayers (especially mine LOL)
pray for our entire family.
* Pray for the McIntosh Family and Mackenzie always!
* I would like to lift my children up in prayer. To always keep Mackenzie safe and sound and that his momma can see him soon. For Skylar... that she stay just the way she is healthy and safe :C)
* Always remember in prayer all the children that are troubled or even the ones that are safe. The women who are pregnant and the babies they carry and answers they search for.
* All my friends and their families that they stay safe and I praise him for them for I don't know what I would do without my little web network.
* Prayers of everyone that are unspoken and unanswered.